116th Diocesan Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts:

Taking Risks for the Sake of the Gospel

Saturday, October 28

Springfield MA.

Please keep your rector, your delegates and your diocese in prayer.

Grace Church Vestry Delegate is Rick Gore and Vestry Alternate is John Cheek. Lay Vestry Delegate is Lee Cheek and Lay Alternate is Dindy Anderson.

24th ANNUAL WINTER OUTERWEAR DRIVE

COLLECTION IN OCTOBER:

During the month of October warm outerwear will be collected to help our brothers and sisters in the Berkshires.

Please drop off unstained, clean, and workable coats, hats, mittens/gloves, scarves, boots, snow pants, warm clothing, blankets, etc. to the church office at 67 State Road in Great Barrington before Friday, October 27.

We will deliver the clothes to the Berkshire South Community Center on Friday, October 27 for distribution on Saturday. This is a great way to share your unused winter clothing with someone who could greatly appreciate them in the cold winter. Thank you!

Our world: For those vulnerable to the changing winds of politics, warfare, natural disasters, and human retribution.

The many ministries of our local community and the Diocese of Western Massachusetts: especially for our partners at St. Paul’s, Stockbridge and the Rev. Sam Smith; Christ Trinity, Sheffield and the Rev. Erik Karas; and our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas J. Fisher; the Mampong Babies’ Home in Ghana; The Rev. Tanya Wallace, Safe Church Officer

The Church’s wider mission:

Massachusetts Inter-Faith Hospitality Network

And we offer thanks: For all those celebrating a Birthday this week especially Pat Edelstein and Howard Seip and for those celebrating an Anniversary this week.

Prayers for Charles Olegar and Jane Williams. Charles, organist and music director at St. James for eight years, and his wife, Jane Williams would appreciate your prayers. You can send your love to them through card and notes at 131 Belleview, Troy NY 12180.

Sunday Liturgy on your iPad or tablet!

Swap your worship bulletin for the liturgy on your iPads or tablets?

Using a tablet allows you to adjust the size and contrast of the print.

It also can help us be more responsible by saving paper.

If you would like to receive the emailed worship bulletin that goes out on Friday by noon, please email Janet or Maria at graceberkshiresma@gmail.com.

John Breasted is at Fairview Commons and would enjoy having visitors. You can call at (413) 528-4560.

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.”

He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”‘?

If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?” No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Hymn this Sunday –

1 Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;

be all else but naught to me, save that Thou art;

be Thou my best thought in the day and the night,

both waking and sleeping, Thy presence my light.

2 Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
be Thou ever with me, and I with Thee, Lord;
be Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son;
be Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou My Vision

3 Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise;

be Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
be Thou and Thou only the first in my heart,
O high King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

4 High King of heaven, Thou heaven’s bright Sun,
O grant me its joys, after vict’ry is won;
Great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be Thou my vision, O Ruler of all.

Authors Jane Feldman and Shannon Lanier (descendent of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings) in an interactive multimedia presentation that explores the meaning of race, its influence on personal identity, and our interrelatedness as Americans.

The event is free and open to the public

Sunday, October 29

Bishop Douglas Fisher to visit Grace Church for his biannual visit to Grace Church

We will also be celebrating Gideon’s Garden that Sunday so it will be a day of celebration.

All interested in being received into the church, please contact The Rev. Janet Zimmerman.

Please join us to welcome Bishop Fisher and rejoice in the goodness of the work of Gideon’s Garden.

Sunday, November 5 All Saints’ Sunday

On this Sunday, you are invited to bring pictures or other mementos of persons whose love helped us follow Jesus and live lives of abundance. We will have a table of remembrance to honor the saints in our lives. You are welcome to contribute your memories.

The Berkshire Immigrant Center stands with and supports our immigrant and refugee neighbors. BIC’s work and mission is more important than ever. Please consider donating $25, $50, or $100 or more to support BIC’s work with our local immigrants and refugees.

Ascentria Care Alliance provides resettlement resources for refugees who have received extreme vetting by the U.S., are sponsored by the United Nations, and invited to live in our country. Please consider financially supporting Ascentria and calling to learn about volunteering. Ascentria in partnership with a national network of volunteer organizations, the U.S. Department of State, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is doing God’s work in caring for the most vulnerable in our world.
You can donate on-line at

Studies have shown how choir can improve your health – it’s fantastic brain food. Brain game exercises are all over the place with the Nintedo 3DS or sudoku. Well why not start keeping your mind healthy by making music?

Here are a few things you’ll see improve with choir

Multi-tasking – you’ve got to watch the conductor, keep an eye on the music and know when to come in